Manifolding record



Jan. 10, 1939. D. J. JOHNSTON MANIFOLDING RECORD 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed Aug. 25

KN mwwn N5 N EN 5R V 0 WW w J A v m m DY B Jan. 10, 1939. D. J. JOHNSTONMANIFOLDING RECORD Filed Aug. 25, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 3 my W mo j m MD -Lwee, JLM a QLW A TTORNEYS.

Jan. 10,- 1939. D. J. JOHNSTON MANIFOLDING RECORD Filed Aug. 25, 1931 3Sheets-Sheet 3 3 MN VW & mf M o M D A TTORNEYS.

Patented Jan. 10, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MANIFOLDING RECORDApplication August 25, 1931, Serial No. 559,173

14 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in record assemblies of the typehaving long continuous interleaved record and transfer sheets or stripsadapted for division into sets or piles of record and transfer sheets,and embodies an improved structure and arrangement facilitatingstripping or separating the sheets or leaves of a manifold pile fromeach other, and to maintain superposed printed forms in registry formanifold inscription.

An important object of the invention is the provision of a practicalconstruction of mani folding record such that by dividing it intoformlengths, these latter find themselves equipped with devices readilyaccessible and capable of easy actuation to effect stripping of thecarbon sheets from the record sheets.

Another important object is the provision of a simple and, practicalconstruction of manifolding pile of single form-lengths equipped withvery convenient and easily operated stripping instrumentalities.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in partappear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises an article of manufacture possessingthe features, properties, and the relation of elements which will beexemplified in the article hereinafter described and the scope of theapplication of which will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention,reference should be had to the following detailed description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a manifolding pile or multi-assembly webembodying the invention, the same being zigzag folded to form a pack, asillustrated;

Figs. 2 and 3 are perspective details on an enlarged scale of certainfeatures of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a manifolding pile or multi-ply webembodying the invention,but having some modified features over Fig. 1;

Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate in enlarged perspective certain details of thepile of Fig. 4;

Fig. '7 is a perspective view of a manifolding pile or assemblyembodying the invention, the construction being similar in many respectsto that .of Fig. 1, but the form-lengths embodying gripper-tabs at eachend thereof;

Figs. 8 and 9 are enlarged detail perspective Y views of features ofFig. '7; and

Fig. 10 illustrates a detail of a further modification.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, each modificationincludes a number of paper record sheets, or strips, I, with carbonsheets, or strips, 2 interleaved with the record sheets in superposedrelation. The number of sheets or strips employed may be varied and ismainly dependent upon the number of copies desired. For the purpose ofillustration, three record sheets and two carbon sheets interleavedtherewith are employed. As illustrated, the several record strips orsheets each has a longitudinal series of printed forms 3, the series ofprinted forms in one record strip being in superposed registry withthose in the other strips. Thus a long, multi-ply web or pile is formedas shown in Fig. 1. Also, the record assembly or pile is divided intoform-lengths by a succession of superposed, main, transverse, weakeninglines 4, these main weakening lines being in the record sheets as wellas in the carbon sheets. Along these lines the pile may be torn intoform-lengths or sets of relatively superposed record and transfer leavesor sheets positioned in interleaved transfer relation.

In each of the record sheets, or strips, is a succession ofgripper-tab'areas 5, the grippertab areas in the different sheets beingin superposed registered relation, as illustrated, for instance, in Fig.2, the outer ends, or tips, 6 of the gripper-tabs 5 being coincidentwith the transverse weakening lines 4, whereas the bases 1 of thegripper-tabs are well within the formlengths, between successiveweakening lines 4, of which the gripper-tabs 5 form a part. In thevarious embodiments illustrated, it will be seen that the gripper-tabs 5are included between respective successive weakening lines 4 and do notextend across the weakening lines [into the adjacent form-lengths. Also,in the preferred embodiment, as illustrated, the form-lengths arerectangular in general outline, and it will be perceived that thegripper-tabs 5, including both their tips and their bases, lie withinthe general rectangular outlines of the form-lengths.

The gripper-tabs 5 are formed by providing apertures, slits or cuts inthe sheets, these apertures intersecting the adjacent, transverse, mainweakening line 4. In the embodiments illustrated, the apertures areprovided by slitting the record strips, as indicated at 8 and 9, theseslits being laterally spaced apart to give a substantial width to thegripper-tab 5, the tab being bounded by these two slits and the freeedge 6 which coincides with the transverse weakening line. It will beunderstood that the spaced slits 8 and 9 of the form-lengths of thedifferent record sheets are respectively in superposed registry witheach other, as indicated, for instance, in Fig. 2. For the purpose ofreadily effecting parting of the gripper-tab 5 from the body of theform-length, each record leaf or form-length is provided with asupplemental, transverse, weakening line I!) intervening the gripper-tabarea and the body of the form-length, these weakening lines beingpreferably at the bases of the gripper-tab areas and extending crosswisethereof so as to join the slits 8 and 9. The apertures or slits 8 and 9in the sheets at the opposite sides of the gripper-tabs 5 areillustrated as shear cuts in the paper sheets, extending fully throughthe sheet bodies. This slitted construction is preferred, inasmuch as itis believed that the arrangement is in the interest of strength, andmore of the sheet is retained for recording purposes in the event thispart of the sheet is utilized for that purpose. However, it is to beunderstood that, in its broadest aspect, the apertures may be wider andquite large, as for instance illustrated in Fig. 10, wherein theapertures 38 are quite wide. Ordinarily, when a number of superposedstrips are employed, the tendency is to tear straight through thecarbons on the weakened lines 4 in the carbons, and this tends to guidethe tear in the record strips along the weakened lines 4 therein, so asto render it less likely that the tear would proceed along thesupplemental weakening lines l0 at the bases of the tabs.

The gripper-tabs 5 of different sheets are fastened together, thesecuring means in the present instance being by stitching, as by a wirestaple II which pases through the superposed tabs 5 and is clinchedthereagainst. As illustrated, the staples I l are disposed between thetips and bases of the tab and also between the slits 8 and 9, and theyattach the record sheets and the carbon sheets together within therespective gripper-tab areas. At those points where the superposedgripper-tabs 5 are provided in the record sheets, the carbon sheets 2are also secured to the record sheets by the stitching II, but thecarbon sheets remain substantially unweakened on lines corresponding tothe supplemental weakening lines l8 and the slits 8 and 9. Wire staplingoffers a somewhat firm part which may readily be grasped in effectingthe stripping operation. However, textile stitching may be employed.

It will be understood that adjacent each of the main, transverse,weakening lines 4 throughout the pile, the record strips are equipped atone side of the weakening line with the gripper-tab areas 5 bounded bythe slits or apertures 8 and 9 and the supplemental weakening line I0.Thus, when the pile is divided in two along the weakening lines 4, thesuperposed gripper-tabs 5 at one end thereof may be readily grasped byone hand without grasping the adjacent body of the formlength.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the opposite end ofthe form-length may be readily grasped by the other hand so that, uponsuflicient pulling force being exerted, the grippertabs 5 will be tornor parted from the formlengths along the supplemental weakening line [8.At points of the severed set of form-lengths opposite to the grip-tabs 5the intermediate carbon sheets are so fashioned as not to be firmlygripped. To this end, the carbon sheets are provided with fairly largeapertures l2, preferably of rectangular shape, which permit the grasp ofthe record sheets without gripping the carbon sheets at this point. Whena number of carbon sheets is employed, the grip-escaping apertures l2will be in superposed registry with each other at the opposite side ofthe main weakening line 4 from the gripper-tab areas 5 which are closelyadjacent said line. tion illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the pile isfirst parted along the main, transverse weakening lines 4. Thereupon,the gripper-tabs 5 of this parted, multi-ply, form-length are graspedbetween the thumb and finger of the left hand, and the opposite end ofthis form-length is grasped between the thumb and finger of the righthand immediately above the grip-escaping apertures [2, so that the grip,in efiect, practically escapes the apertures. Thereupon, by pulling inopposite directions, the record sheets will part along the supplementalweakening line l0, thus permitting the carbon sheets to be readilysimultaneously withdrawn or stripped from between the record sheets,inasmuch as these carbon sheets are practically free of grip at theopposite end of this form-length.

It is to be noted that in the construction illustrated in Fig. 3, thegrip-escaping aperture l2 in the carbon strip is formed by completeremoval of a rectangular section which otherwise would fill the aperturel2. It is to be understood, however, that a grip-escaping aperture isprovided even though this section or filling were permitted to remain asa part of the construction before tearing along the weakening lines 4.For instance, as illustrated in Figs. 4, 5 and 6, the carbon sheets areslit along the outline of the grip-escaping aperture, as along the linesl3, l4 and I5. But the filling section l6, which is wholly removed inthe modification shown in Fig. 3, is permitted to remain attached to thenext adjacent carbon sheet form-length H in the modification shown inFigs. 4, 5 and 6. Under these circumstances, when the pile is dividedalong the weakening lines 4, the grip-escaping aperture occurs in theformlength precisely as explained in connection with Figs. 1, 2 and 3,but the cut-out filling or section l6 (Fig. 6) may remain attached tothe next adjacent carbon sheet form-length l1 and cooperate with thegripper-tab 5 thereof to permit more effective gripping. Or this sectionI6 may be wholly removed by tearing it along a weakening line l9provided therein coincident with the weakening line 4 at that point.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 7, 8 and 9, the construction isin many respects similar to that of Figs. 1, 2 and 3. But in theembodiment of Figs. '7, 8 and 9, the grip-escaping apertures I2 of Fig.3 are omitted, and the carbon sheets are provided with gripper-tabs 20like the grippertabs 5 in the former figures. As in the formerconstruction, these gripper-tabs 20 are formed by laterally spacedapertures or slits 2i and 22, which intersect the main transverseweakening lines 4. Also, the tips of the gripper-tabs 28 lie in the mainweakening lines 4, whereas the bases of the gripper-tabs 28 havesupplemental weakening lines 23 on which they may be readily detachedfrom the main body of the carbon sheet. Like the preceding constructionalso, the grippertabs 20 in the carbon sheets are attached together andto the superposed record sheets by additional stitching or staples 24.Thus, in the modification of Figs. 7, 8 and 9, both the record sheetsand the carbon sheets have gripper-tabs, and the tabs of the recordsheets are at a different gripping point from those of the carbonsheets,

In operating the modificaeach having a supplemental weakening lineconnecting the tabs to the bodies of the sheets respectivelif.

It is to be understood that the manifolding record is readily utilizablein a typewriting machine, teletype machine, or other writing machine orautographic register, and that the printed forms of the several sets ofform-lengths are maintained in superposed registry by the stitching orother fastening means employed. When one set of form-lengths has beeninscribed, it may readily be torn along the weakening line 4 from thelong, multi-ply web, and the leaves or sheets of the parted section willremain attached to each other and. in registration ready for subsequentmanifold inscription, as may be desired. As before explained, however,by grasping the rnulti-ply form-length at opposite ends, all the carbonsheets may be stripped from the record sheets in one operation, and withthe carbons will go the fastening means, so that the inscribed recordsheets will be left in a uniform, standard, satisfactory condition withonly a small rectangular aperture at one end. It is to be understood, ofcourse, that the several form-lengths may have one or more filingapertures c-r punch openings 25, so as to permit the placing of therecord sheets on filing pins or in a binder, as desired. Between eachfiling opening and the edge, the sheets are weakened as by relativelysmall perforations 26, so as to permit the sheet to be readily tornthrough the perforations 26 into communication with the filing openings25.

Whereas in the illustrated embodiments the gripper-tabs 5 are mainlyillustrated as being provided in the record sheets, it is to beunderstood that this is illustrative, and that the invcntion is notdeparted from by reversing the arrangement illustrated, that is, byconfining the gripper-tabs to the carbon sheets, the record sheets beingunprovided with the gripper-tabs o the slits 8, Q and the supplementalweakeniii-g lines iii.

Since certain changes may be made in the above article and differentembodiments of the invention could be made without departing from thescope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the abovedescription or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpretedas illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent is:

1. A manifolding pile composed of carbon sheets interleaved with recordsheets, one or more of said sheets having two spaced slits in its edgecooperating to form a gripper-tab positioned in superposed relation withan edge portion of another sheet and a weakening li-ne across the baseof the tab.

2. A manifolding pile composed of carbon sheets interleaved with recordsheets, one or more of said sheets having spaced-slits forming agripper-tab in its edge in superposed relation with an edge portion ofanother sheet, a weakening line across the base of the grippertab, and afastener disposed between said slits and securing two or more sheetstogether.

3. A manifolding pile composed of carbon sheets interleaved with recordsheets, each of the record sheets having a pair of spaced slits in itsedge forming a gripper-tab in superposed relation with an edge portionof a carbon sheet,

weakening lines.

superposed registry with the pairs in the other record sheets, and meansdisposed in the space between said slits fastening said sheets together.

4. A manifolding pile composed of carbon sheets interleaved with recordsheets, each of the record sheets having a pair of spaced slits in itsedge forming a gripper-tab in superposed relation with an edge portionof a carbon sheet, the pair of slits in one record sheet being insuperposed registry with the pairs in the other record sheets, and meansdisposed in the space between said slits fastening said sheets together,the respective record sheets having a weakening line crosswise of andbetween said slits therein.

5. A manifolding pile composed of carbon sheets interleaved with recordsheets, the record sheets and the carbon sheets each having gripper tabsintegral with the respective sheets and having weakened attachment tothe latter so as to be readily detachable, the tabs of the record sheetsbeing in superposed registry at one gripping point and those of thecarbon sheets being in superposed registry at another gripping point,and devices fastening said tabs together at each point.

6. A manifolding pile comprising carbon sheets interleaved with recordsheets, said record sheets having a succession of superposed gripper-tabareas and of superposed, main, transverse, weakening lines adjacent saidareas for tearing the pile into form-lengths at successive points,respective record sheets having apertures, one at each side ofrespective gripper-tab areas and resoectively cutting said weakeninglines, the bases of said gripper-tab areas being within the form lengthsand being separated from the latter by '7. A manifolding pile comprisingcarbon sheets interleaved with record sheets, said record and carbonsheets having a succession of superposed gripper-tab areas and ofsuperposed, main, transverse, weakening lines adjacent said areas fortearing the pile into form-lengths at successive points, saidgripper-tab areas of the record sheets being disaligned depthwise of thepile with said gripper-tabs of the carbon sheets, each of said recordand carbon sheets having laterally spaced slits, one at each side of therespective gripperslits at the bases of the gripper-tab areas, re-

spectively.

8. A manifolding pile comprising carbon sheets interleaved with recordsheets, said record sheets having a succession of superposed gripper-tabareas and of superposed. main, transverse, weakening lines adjacent saidareas for tearing the pile into form lengths at successive points,respective record sheets having laterally spaced slits, one at each sideof the respective grippertab areas and intersecting the adjacent mainweakening line and also having supplemental weakening lines extendingtransversely between the slits and positioned between the respectivegripper-tab areas and the form lengths, said gripper-tab areas. beingrelatively superposed with edge portions of the carbon sheetformlengths, and stitching attaching the record sheets and carbon sheetstogether at points within the respective gripper-tab areas. 7

9. A manifolding pile comprising carbon sheets interleaved with recordsheets, said record sheets having a succession of superposed gripper-tabareas and of superposed, main, transverse, weakening lines adjacent saidareas for tearing the pile into form-lengths at successive points,respective record sheets having laterally spaced slits, one at each sideof the respective grippertab areas and intersecting the adjacent main'weakening line and also having supplemental weakening lines extendingtransversely between the slits and positioned between the respectivegripper-tab areas and the form lengths, said gripper-tab areas beingrelatively superposed with edge portions of carbon sheet form-lengths,stitching attaching the record sheets and carbon sheets together atpoints within the respective gripper-tab areas, the'carbon sheets beingsubstantially unweakened on lines corresponding to said supplementalweakening lines and said slits, and having grip-escaping apertures insuperposed registry at the opposite side of said main weakening linesfrom said gripper-tab areas.

10. A manifolding pile comprising carbon sheets interleaved with recordsheets, said record and carbon sheets having a succession of superposedgripper-tab areas and of superposed, main, transverse, weakening linesadjacent said areas for tearing the pile into form-lengths at successivepoints, said record and carbon sheets having a slit at each side of therespective gripper-tab areas and respectively cutting said weakeninglines, the bases of said gripper-tab areas being within the bounds ofthe form-lengths and being separated from the latter by weakent inglines.

from said second edge of the set to permit the' set to be grasped whollyoutside the line of weakness, and the carbon sheet and the writingsheets having their edges at said second edge of the set in continuoussubstantial coincidence with each other from corner to corner of the setand to permit the carbon sheet as well as the writing sheets to bereliably held and fully typed in a typewriter adjacent to said secondedge of the set, and the writing sheets being free of any lines (iweakness adjacent to said second edge thereof.

12. A transfer set including a plurality of writing sheets, a carbonsheet therebetween, means detachably interconnecting the carbon sheetwith the mainbody of the writing sheets along one edge of the set topermit the main body of the writing sheets to be removed from the carbonsheet by exerting a pull on the set, said means including a line ofweakness in one edge portion of each writing sheet in sufiicientlyspaced relation to one edge thereof to permit the set to be graspedoutside the lines of weakness, the

carbon sheet having a portion thereof perforated near a second edge ofthe set opposite to the interconnecting means, the perforations beingsufiiciently spaced from said second edge to permit the writing sheetsto be grasped between the fingers outside the perforations, and thecarbon sheet and the writing sheets having their edges at said secondedge of the set in substantial coincidence with each other to permit thecarbon sheet as well as the writing sheets to be reliably held in' atypewriter at said second edge of the set, and the latter to be fullytyped throughout, the carbon sheet and the writi-ngsheets beingrespectively free of lines of weakness at their said first mentionededge portion and at said second edge portion.

13. A transfer set including a plurality of writing sheets, a carbonsheet therebetween, means detachably interconnecting the carbon sheetwith the main body of the writing sheets along one edge of the set topermit the main body of the writing sheets to be removed from the carbonsheet by exerting a pull on the set, the carbon sheet having a line ofweakness at the bottom edge of the set opposite to the interconnectingmeans, the line of weakness being suificiently spaced from the bottomedge of the set to permit the set to be grasped wholly below the line ofweakness, and the carbon sheet and the .writing sheets having theiredges at said bottom edge of the set in continuous substantialcoincidence with each other from corner to corner of the set and topermit the carbon sheet as well as the writing sheets to be reliablyheld and fully typed in a typewriter adjacent to said bottom edge of theset, and the writing sheets being free of any lines of weakness adjacentto the bottom edge thereof. 1

14. A transfer set including a plurality of writing sheets, a carbonsheet therebetween, means detachably interconnecting the carbon sheetwith the main body of the writing sheets along one edge of the set topermit the main body of the writing sheets to be removed from the carbonsheet by exerting a pull on the set, said means including a line ofslits in the top of each writing sheet in sufilciently spaced relationto the top edge thereof. to permit the set to be grasped above the linesof slits, the carbon sheet having a portion thereof perforated near thebottom edge of the set opposite to the interconnecting means, theperforations being sufficiently spaced from said bottom edge to permitthe writing sheets to be grasped between the fingers be low theperforations, and the carbon sheet and the writing sheets having theiredges at said bottom edge of the set in substantial coincidence witheach other to permit the carbon sheet as well as the writing sheets tobe reliably held in a typewriter at said bottom edge of the set, and

